Illustrations

I wrote a short, simple children's story, one designed to be read aloud, perhaps as a good-night story. Nothing fancy -- the story of Punkin, a hen, and a mouse that she befriends. I typed the story, copied it into a homemade book (made with mixed media paper), leaving room on most pages to add illustrations later.
It's later. I finally bit the bullet and started coloring with pencils and painting with watercolors. Here's what I have so far.

The little red mushroom seems rather out of place, but there it is.
I added text around it to make it fit in better.

I sketched Punkin first, to get her right.

I wanted this first picture of her to give a perfect impression to the child seeing the story.

Here's Punkin, or "Punky," as I call her.

I did some watercolors and some sketches. 

Since the book is just for me and the grandkids, 

I figure I can do what I please.

The mouse below I sketched from studying

a mouse Julia drew for me. Hers is so good.

I cannot sketch animals from my mind;

I must have a photo or other image to copy.

This is the real rat hole in our coop.

This baby mouse I compiled from images on google.

That's it so far. Let no one think that we have a grandbaby on the way yet -- we do not! But I will be ready when we do!
I've been working on herbal teas. These are two I've put in tins so far. I also did some peppermint today. The one on the right is dried leaves, so they're rather crumbly. The thyme leaves are green.

I've been drinking thyme tea for 24 hours, and I believe it's helping me keep a cold at bay.
I went to the thrift store today looking for a book I'd seen there. (Drat!! It was gone! It was Susan Branch's Christmas book.) Instead I found this lovely bed spread and two shams, all for $8.

Isn't it lovely? I adore that deep red color. This is on the guest room bed. It cost less because the edges are a bit worn, but otherwise it's in beautiful condition. I will donate two other blankets, attempting to keep from being a hoarder.

That's it from me today! 

I'm loving this painting activity. 

It's very relaxing. I'll never be a real"illustrator," but if I have fun and make books for little grandies, that is all I want :)

Eight pages down; about 22 to go.

All artwork, images, and text are copyrighted by M.K. Christiansen